Allocation system and method

• US 20080287113A1
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVON
• Inventors: Aaltonen, Janne, Ahopelto, Timo, Saru, Sami
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1432 Metric aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network

Abstract

A method of recording allocation of resources in response to a request for a data item to be transmitted to a device in the network where the request comprises data indicative of one or more requested items. The device is typically a mobile device and the requested items can be key words making up a search request or can be web site names indicating web sites of interest to the user. In response to the request, data listings having items generating a match with the requested data item are identified and data indicative of a network location corresponding to the or each matched data item are retrieved. In addition data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location are retrieved and these data, together with a network subscription associated with device and the amount of data, are used to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data. If data are subsequently requested from the network location the evaluated actual usage is offset against the resource allocation so as to identify an amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription, and a record associated with said data listing is updated so as to log said resource allocation event.

Claims

1. A method of recording allocation of resources in response to a request, the method comprising

receiving a request for a data item to be transmitted to a device in the network, the request comprising data-indicative of one or more requested items;

accessing a storage system so as to identify data listings having items generating a match with the requested data item;

retrieving data indicative of a network location corresponding to the or each matched data item, the network location providing access to a set of data corresponding to the matched data item;

retrieving data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location;

on the basis of a network subscription associated with device and the amount of data, evaluating actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data;

in the event that the set of data are accessed from the network location, offsetting said evaluated actual usage against the resource allocation so as to identify an amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription, and

updating a record associated with said data listing so as to log said resource allocation event.

2. A method according to claim 1, including

creating a message comprising the amount of data, the resource allocation and the corresponding network location;

sending said created message to a second device accessible within the network; and

arranging for said second device to perform said evaluation.

3. A method according to claim 2, including retrieving data indicative of transport costs associated with the network subscription, whereby to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data.

4. A method according to claim 1, including retrieving data indicative of transport costs associated with the network subscription, whereby to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data.

5. A method according to claim 4, in which the second device is the device associated with the network subscription, and the transport costs are accessible from a removable storage device associated therewith.

6. A method according to claim 3, in which the second device is the device associated with the network subscription, and the transport costs are accessible from a removable storage device associated therewith.

7. A method according to claim 6, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in decrementing an account balance associated therewith.

8. A method according to claim 5, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in decrementing an account balance associated therewith.

9. A method according to claim 4, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in decrementing an account balance associated therewith.

10. A method according to claim 3, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in decrementing an account balance associated therewith.

11. A method according to claim 2, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in decrementing an account balance associated therewith.

12. A method according to claim 1, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in decrementing an account balance associated therewith.

13. A method according to claim 12, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of the resource allocation to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in incrementing an account balance associated therewith.

14. A method according to claim 4, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of the resource allocation to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in incrementing an account balance associated therewith.

15. A method according to claim 2, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of the resource allocation to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in incrementing an account balance associated therewith.

16. A method according to claim 1, including transmitting data indicative of the amount of the resource allocation to a billing system maintained by the network operator associated with the network subscription, for use in incrementing an account balance associated therewith.

17. A method according to claim 16, including incrementing the account balance prior to providing access to the set of data.

18. A method according to claim 17, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

19. A method according to claim 16, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

20. A method according to claim 12, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

21. A method according to claim 5, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

22. A method according to claim 4, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

23. A method according to claim 2, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

24. A method according to claim 1, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

25. A method according to claim 24, including weighting the resource allocation according to the size of a predetermined number of data elements accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

26. A method according to claim 25, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

27. A method according to claim 24, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

28. A method according to claim 17, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

29. A method according to claim 16, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

30. A method according to claim 12, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

31. A method according to claim 6, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

32. A method according to claim 4, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

33. A method according to claim 2, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

34. A method according to claim 1, in which a plurality of data listings corresponds to the or each matched data item, and the method includes displaying said plurality of data listings as a plurality of corresponding selectable links via a user interface on the device.

35. A method according to claim 34, including ordering the data listings in dependence on the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

36. A method according to claim 35, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

37. A method according to claim 34, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

38. A method according to claim 25, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

39. A method according to claim 24, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

40. A method according to claim 17, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

41. A method according to claim 16, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

42. A method according to claim 12, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

43. A method according to claim 6, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

44. A method according to claim 4, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

45. A method according to claim 2, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

46. A method according to claim 1, including assigning a classification to the data listing on the basis of the amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the classifications include fully subsidized, partially subsidized and non-subsidized.

48. A method according to claim 47, including displaying the selectable links classified as fully subsidized differently to identifying selectable links classified as partially subsidized and non-subsidized.

49. A method according to claim 46, including displaying the selectable links classified as fully subsidized differently to identifying selectable links classified as partially subsidized and non-subsidized.

50. A method according to claim 49, including arranging the data listings in a plurality of portions, each said portion corresponding to one of said classifications, whereby to display said selectable links in accordance with said classifications.

51. A method according to claim 48, including arranging the data listings in a plurality of portions, each said portion corresponding to one of said classifications, whereby to display said selectable links in accordance with said classifications.

52. A method according to claim 34, in which each data listing in the storage system is further held in association with rating data indicative of a rating applied to the set of data, and the method includes displaying rating data in conjunction with each said data listing.

53. A method according to claim 35, in which each data listing in the storage system is further held in association with rating data indicative of a rating applied to the set of data, and the method includes displaying rating data in conjunction with each said data listing.

54. A method according to claim 46, in which each data listing in the storage system is further held in association with rating data indicative of a rating applied to the set of data, and the method includes displaying rating data in conjunction with each said data listing.

55. A method according to claim 47, in which each data listing in the storage system is further held in association with rating data indicative of a rating applied to the set of data, and the method includes displaying rating data in conjunction with each said data listing.

56. A method according to claim 49, in which each data listing in the storage system is further held in association with rating data indicative of a rating applied to the set of data, and the method includes displaying rating data in conjunction with each said data listing.

57. A method according to claim 51, in which each data listing in the storage system is further held in association with rating data indicative of a rating applied to the set of data, and the method includes displaying rating data in conjunction with each said data listing.

58. A method according to claim 57, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

59. A method according to claim 51, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

60. A method according to claim 49, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

61. A method according to claim 47, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

62. A method according to claim 46, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

63. A method according to claim 35, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

64. A method according to claim 34, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

65. A method according to claim 25, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

66. A method according to claim 24, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

67. A method according to claim 17, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

68. A method according to claim 16, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

69. A method according to claim 12, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

70. A method according to claim 6, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

71. A method according to claim 4, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

72. A method according to claim 2, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

73. A method according to claim 1, in which the or each requested item is a search term and the or each data listing comprises a search listing stored in association with corresponding search terms.

74. A method according to claim 73, in which the request comprises a search request comprising one or more search terms.

75. A method according to claim 74, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

76. A method according to claim 73, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

77. A method according to claim 57, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

78. A method according to claim 51, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

79. A method according to claim 49, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

80. A method according to claim 47, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

81. A method according to claim 46, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

82. A method according to claim 35, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

83. A method according to claim 34, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

84. A method according to claim 25, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

85. A method according to claim 24, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

86. A method according to claim 17, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

87. A method according to claim 16, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

88. A method according to claim 12, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

89. A method according to claim 6, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

90. A method according to claim 4, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

91. A method according to claim 2, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

92. A method according to claim 1, in which the or each requested item comprises a name, and the or each data listing comprises a network location stored in association with the name.

93. A method according to claim 92, in which the name identifies a web site.

94. A method according to claim 93, further comprising, prior to retrieving data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location,

transmitting the set of data accessible via the network location to the device;

receiving data indicative of selected elements from the set of data;

adjusting the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

95. A method according to claim 92, further comprising, prior to retrieving data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location,

transmitting the set of data accessible via the network location to the device;

receiving data indicative of selected elements from the set of data;

adjusting the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

96. A method according to claim 95, in which the selected elements relate to elements to be excluded from the set of data accessible from the network location.

97. A method according to claim 94, in which the selected elements relate to elements to be excluded from the set of data accessible from the network location.

98. A method according to claim 95, in which the selected elements relate to elements to be included in the set of data accessible from the network location.

99. A method according to claim 94, in which the selected elements relate to elements to be included in the set of data accessible from the network location.

100. An allocation system for recording allocation of resources in response to a request, the request comprising data indicative of one or more requested items, the system comprising:

a storage system arranged to store a plurality of data listings, each data listing being held in association with one or more said items, a network location providing access to a set of data, a resource allocation for use in offsetting usage of network resources when accessing the set of data, and a record for logging resource allocation events;

an interface arranged to receive a request for a data item to be transmitted to a device in the network, the request comprising data indicative of one or more requested items;

a processing system arranged to;

identify data listings having items generating a match with the requested data item from the storage system;

retrieve data indicative of a network location corresponding to the or each matched data item, the network location providing access to a set of data corresponding to the matched data item; and

retrieve data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location,

the processing system being arranged to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data on the basis of a network subscription associated with device and the amount of data, and in the event that the set of data are accessed from the network location, the processing system is arranged to offset said evaluated actual usage against the resource allocation so as to identify an amount of usage of network resources to be assigned to the network subscription,

wherein the storage system is arranged to update said data listing so as to log said resource allocation event.

101. A mobile terminal arranged to identify resource usage associated with accessing a set of data from a network location, the mobile terminal comprising:

an interface arranged to receive data indicative of an amount of data associated with the set of data accessible via the network location;

a processing system arranged to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data on the basis of a network subscription associated with device and the amount of data, said network subscription being accessible to the mobile terminal,

wherein the interface is arranged to transmit data indicative of said evaluated actual usage to a further device in the network, said evaluated actual usage being for use in offsetting against a predetermined resource allocation associated with the set of data.

102. A mobile terminal according to claim 101, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to the size of at least one data element accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

103. A mobile terminal according to claim 102, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to the size of a predetermined number of data elements accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

104. A mobile terminal according to claim 101, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to the size of a predetermined number of data elements accessible from the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

105. A mobile terminal according to claim 104, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to a rating associated with the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

106. A mobile terminal according to claim 103, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to a rating associated with the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

107. A mobile terminal according to claim 102, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to a rating associated with the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

108. A mobile terminal according to claim 101, wherein the processing system is arranged to weight the resource allocation according to a rating associated with the network location, whereby to evaluate said actual usage.

109. A mobile terminal according to claim 108 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

110. A mobile terminal according to claim 107 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

111. A mobile terminal according to claim 106 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data-indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

112. A mobile terminal according to claim 105 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

113. A mobile terminal according to claim 104 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

114. A mobile terminal according to claim 103 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

115. A mobile terminal according to claim 102 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

116. A mobile terminal according to claim 101 comprising a user interface having a display area, wherein the user interface is arranged to display data indicative of the set of data in the display area and to receive data indicative of selected elements from the displayed set of data, and the processing system is arranged to adjust the amount of data associated with the set of data on the basis of the selected elements.

117. A mobile terminal according to claim 116, in which the selected elements relate to elements to be excluded from the set of data accessible from the network location.

118. A mobile terminal according to claim 116, in which the selected elements relate to elements to be included in the set of data accessible from the network location.